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Hi, Just thought I would share this link http://www.choosetotri.com/index.php/ou ... ht-cancer/ In particular the following statement We recently spoke to Dr. Janice Walshe, Consultant Medical Oncologist at St. Vincents University Hospital, Dublin. “[color=#0000BF:312ix0bk]Probably the most common question I get asked by women who have completed treatment for breast cancer is “Now what can I do to reduce my risk of my cancer returning?”. The evidence from all the literature is consistent and compelling – the answer is exercise and maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). We encourage our patients to get out there and exercise during and after treatment to the extent that they can. Regular exercise is beneficial on many levels. I’m delighted to hear about the ChooseToTri initiative and wish them the best of luck in their campaign to get people active[/color:312ix0bk].” On the same site there is some guidance about the levels of exercise needed. Some further reading: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232406.php http://www.dana-farber.org/For-Adult-Ca ... ivors.aspx http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinfor ... ivity.aspx Kathleen

Hi. I recently had a left inguinal/groin dissection, end of January, for Melanoma that had spread to the sentinel lymph node. Last week I heard that none of the nodes removed were positive for melanoma. I know the news was great (I am grateful) but I'm nowhere near feeling like I can just put it all behind me, smile and get on with it. Does that sound selfish? I feel that's just what is expected of me! I have little other information on my personal melanoma case, to date. I wasn't prepared with questions on the day I got the results as I wasn't expecting results that same day. I have to wait 3-4 months for my follow up appointment with surgeon. I've been told that I will be seen by a melanoma follow-up person also, but again, not for another three months. I can not believe the wait! I am very anxious about being cast aside for three months, without further explanation. I feel very let down by the system, that no-one has once sat me down and spoken to me informatively or caringly about my melanoma. It is a dangerous cancer and I have no doubt that anyone who has ever been diagnosed with it has experienced the fear. There was no melanoma nurse that I could call, no information leaflets etc. etc. etc. My experience has been purely surgical. It has been a scary time for me. I have (and do still) feel very much alone on my melanoma journey. There seems to be very little support for melanoma patients, in my area at least. There is so much I want to know. So many questions I want to ask. All that said, I have a super G.P. and have found other avenues to seek out information. As for leg lymphoedema, no-one warned me, or ever even mentioned to me that I would be at risk to develop it! (Thanks to the Irish Cancer Society for sending me on their lovely leaflet on prevention of leg lymphoedema ) I would love to hear from anyone who has had a groin dissection for melanoma. I'd be interested in hearing about your personal follow up experience, time-scales etc. I'd also love to hear advice on post-op leg care etc., Do I really have to keep my leg up all the time while sitting?? I braved the cinema last week and it was a disaster trying to keep the leg up! Thanks, Annio

Hi all, Does anyone know of any support group, anywhere in the country, that is specifically for people with melanoma? If not, is there anyone out there who would be interested in getting together or organising something? Annieo

Just wondering about numbness in the under arm and left side after ax clearance and mastectomy. I got the impression from the nurses that feeling would come back now I am not so sure. 6 months on, I hate the feeling of a dead arm resting against the arm of the chair. Is this something I am going to have to learn to live with? If it not back after 6 months its never coming right!? There are so many extras to this cancer thing that you just can't prepare for

Hi, I wonder has anyone experience of this drug, I have been on it for about 6 weeks and while I have no dramatic side effects I feel generally unwell - tired, low mood, aches and pains. I know it's important to keep taking it but I would like to know if you get used to it and feel better over time Thanks Sunny

Hi, Mid August I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular BC Stage 2 also in Lymph System. I am booked to go for Bone and body scans in Galway tomorrow, not looking forward to being radioactive for 24 hours, also I have a big fear of hospital machines and all the sounds they make. I am trying to be strong and keep calm but this is very difficult for me. Sometimes I just feel like leaving the country and travelling around the world until I can't go on any longer. But of course I won't do that, need to look after my lovely retreiver called Daisy. Does any one else have a fear of all these tests or is that a silly question? Regards...Andrene

It is now two years since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and what a journey it has been! On D (for diagnosis) Day, I started a blog so it seemed fitting to update it on the 2nd anniversary. Thankfully, I am fortunate enough that I can post positively: http://tommolloy.com/2013/09/16/the-cancer-dividend/

We have only recently found out that Dad has cancer 2.5 weeks ago. All the signs were there but we didn't want to see what was right in front of our eyes. Dad was in hospital for Two weeks he is home now but he seems so distant there is Mam ,myself 2 sisters and 1 brother we all feel so helpless as my Dad has always been a strong man and in a matter of weeks he has become a shadow of himself. I try to put it all to the back of my mind ( the mind is a marvelous thing) but then when the reality hits it makes it even harder to cope.My father has an Ulcer sitting on top of the liver and he is being given drugs to keep this under control. We had a little glimmer of hope a week or so back when the doc said that he may be a candidate for Chemo but that didn't last long as they then said that the type of tumour that it was the chemo would have no effect. The Docs reckon that he has had the tumour for several years going undetected as Dad has never been one for Doctors or hospitals the very first time he has ever been in hospital was when the cancer was discovered . I feel like I am in this horrible dream and can't wake up from it, I try to talk to my family and boyfriend about this but it is just too upsetting to have to face the fact that the Docs are not treating the cancer at all so I have to face my biggest fear that I may not have dad for much longer and that scares me so much. I feel like I am slowly going insane I don't know how to cope.

My dad died of a heart attack, brought on by a blood clot, caused by pancreatic cancer quickly on the morning of Thursday 21st August 2008. Diagnosed the previous day. So the passing was unexpected. We can be greatful that he didnt have to suffer the final stages of cancer. Im not sure what to say here, so I will just retype the newspaper announcement. Peters, (Santry, Dublin and formally of Callan, Co. Kilkenny) - Aug 21 2008 (suddenly but peacefully) John Anthony, late of Aer Lingus beloved husband of Kay: Very sadly missed by his loving wife, daughters Hazel, Ann and her partner Arthur, son Alan and his partner Cheryl, grandchildren Sarah and Holly brother Michael, relatives and friends. R.I.P. Reposing at Lanigan's Funeral Home, Beaumont Road. Removal on Tuesday morning to the Church of Holy Child, Swords road, Whitehall. arriving at 9.50 o'c for Funeral Mass at 10 o'c. Burial immediately afetrwards in Dardistown Cemetry. No flowers by request please. Donations in lieu if desired to Cancer Research in his name.

My daughter aged 21 was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma on or in her sacrum in June 2008. She lives and is treated in the UK. She was started on Doxrubican and cisplatin for cycle A and Methatrixate for cycles B and C. Last week the cisplatin was reduced by 50% and the Methatrixate was suspended due to the damage being inflicted on her kidneys. In 2005 she was diagnosed with GCT on her sacrum in June and it recurred as an anuerysmal bone cyst. Because of these she had extensive surgery and has been on very strong painkilling drugs since. Osteosarcomas are very aggressive cancers and in our case the outlook seems to be going from bad to worse. Is anybody in a similar position to me not knowing how long you may have left with your child? John